Maritimers know how to party, and with that comes a serious amount of respect for booze and enthusiastic support for all that is brewed and distilled locally. Here’s where to find some of Nova Scotia’s finest local manufacturers of alcoholic beverages:

The Glenora Distillery, Cape Breton

The Glenora Distillery also features a charming inn, bar and restaurant. (Lola Augustine Brown photo)

Locals are very proud of the fact that Canada’s only single malt is produced at the Glenora Distillery, and it’s a pretty damned good dram that they make too. Nestled into postcard-pretty countryside by a babbling brook, the distillery has a charming little inn, bar and restaurant on site (which is grand, because if you over-indulge, you’re not too far from a bed). The food is excellent, and on most nights there is a fiddler and piano player serenading dinner guests with Celtic tunes. A night at Glenora is a warm and authentically Cape Breton experience. Tours and whisky tastings run every hour.

The Alexander Keith’s Brewery, Halifax
Although they don’t actually brew on-site any more, the historic themed tour offered at the old Alexander Keith’s Brewery is pretty fun and does culminate in a theatrical rendition of a party in an 18th-century beer hall. This was one of the first breweries in North America, operating since 1863, and the tour has actors guiding you through the city’s history from then to present day (it’s interesting, but it also does make you wait to get to the beer). Tours run every 30 minutes in the summer and every hour in the winter months.

Ironworks Distillery, Lunenburg
Since 2009, Ironworks has been producing fine small-batch liquors and spirits in an old blacksmith’s shop in historic Lunenburg. Batches are made using one still at a time, and incorporating local ingredients wherever possible. Regular products are vodka and rum (both very tasty) and then they have specials such as apple brandy and cranberry liquor. There are no tours, but the still is right there by the cash register and staff will happily pour you healthy-sized free samples so you can taste test all their products.

Jost Vinyards, Malagash
This multiple-award-winning winery has a store and gift shop open year round, and between June 15 and September 15 offers complimentary winery tours. There’s a deli in the winery store, and in the summer they have a BBQ set up. Jost Vineyards holds events for wine lovers throughout the year, check their website for details.

Garrison Brewing, Halifax
Located down by Pier 21 and the Seaport Market, the Garrison brewery is pretty cool and with an intimate location. They do have brewery tours that are more like parties – you need to get a group of 10 together, each of whom is willing to chip in $12. The brewery will open up for your own personal tour group after the store closes (the organizers even encourage you to bring your own CDs). If you’re a microbrew fan, it’s worth getting a gang together for a boozy soiree.

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Vacay

Vicky is the worldly publisher of Vacay.ca. Having graduated from McGill University in Montreal, she has set about building a talented team of travel experts to deliver to you words and images of the very best places to see and experience in Canada. Based in Yorkville in Toronto, Vicky regularly jet sets around Canada — be sure to catch up with her when she's in your part of the country.